Wales injury woes deepen after loss

Wales suffered another defeat and will be depleted by further injuries for next week's clash with New Zealand

Wales find themselves facing a deepening injury crisis as they count the cost of an abject 26-19 defeat to Samoa.

The Welsh were awful in defeat to Argentina last weekend, and there was no improvement against the South Sea Islanders from the Six Nations champions, who face world champions New Zealand next.

Leigh Halfpenny kicked four penalties and converted Ashley Beck's first-half interception score, but it was not enough as Samoa gained revenge for their World Cup reverse of 13 months' ago.

The writing had been on the wall when Fa'atoina Autagavaia crossed for the visitors after just 64 seconds, with second-half tries from George Pisi and Johnny Leota sealing the win and Tusi Pisi kicking 11 points.

The manner of the injuries suffered by Hibbard and Biggar may yet occupy the attention of citing commissioner Paul Minto.

Hibbard was felled by a crunching tackle from the outstanding Taiasina Tu'ifua, in which the Newcastle number eight did not appear to use his arms, and eventually forced off to have his arm put in a sling.

Biggar, meanwhile, was on the end of a reckless challenge from Teofilo Paulo, in which the lock led with his head.

Hibbard's replacement Ken Owens was also dragged to ground by the neck by Maurie Fa'asavalu.

Interim head coach Rob Howley said: "Dan and Richard have taken blows to their shoulders.

"It is not the time to discuss anything, but I don't think they were legal tackles as far as we are concerned having looked at the footage.

"It is disappointing to lose players. Dan and Richard had been given an opportunity and Ian Evans has hurt his knee. But it might give someone else an opportunity next week and will test our strength in depth."

Wales are currently unrecognisable from the side that reached the World Cup semi-finals 13 months ago.

But Howley, who hands the reins back to British & Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland for games against the All Blacks and Australia, rejected suggestions from the Samoan camp that Wales' game plan has become easy to predict.

"We knew if you stop their go-forward men, you stop their game." - Lemi

He said: "We have changed since the Australian tour. If they are saying that, it's up to them, but we have a belief in the way we want to play.